Hawaiians and supporters took a stand of resistance on Maunakea between March and December 2015 to stop the construction of the $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope project. Although the illegitimate State of Hawaii and the Board of Land and Natural Resource were afforded one more chance to make the right decision for Hawaiʻi and its people, they have once again shown themselves to be incapable of protecting, conserving and managing Hawaiʻiʻs unique and limited natural, cultural and historic resources. Only one week removed from the BLNR hearing on September 20, the board members approved a Conservation District Use Permit (CDUP) for the building of the TMT by a vote of 5-2.

The decision is not shocking, but it is nevertheless disappointing. Hundreds, if not thousands of Hawaiians will be forced to put our personal responsibilities, goals and dreams on the side to take a stand of resistance on Maunakea to protect our sacred and national lands, our cultural and national identity along with our dignity and our humanity as a people. As daunting of a task as it might be to stop the construction of the TMT, we have once again been left with no choice but to resist and to take matters back into our own hands. Though it will not be easy, we will organize, strategize and exercise our un-relinquished rights and claims to our national lands. Any attempts by TMT, the illegitimate State of Hawaii or the University of Hawaiʻi to ascend Maunakea will be met with peaceful, non-violent resistance.